According to a report by Euronews, the head of Roscosmos has been fired. Rogozin is a well-known name in the space industry. He has led Russia's space program and established a reputation for inflammatory statements and anti-Western bluster, especially where Russia's invasion ofUkraine, U.S., and European sanctions are concerned. He was dismissed on Friday, July 15th by Russian President Putin.
Russia was threatening to leave the International Space Station and other agreements in space. He claimed that the station would crash if the Progress and Russian segments weren't present. The International Space Station will fall into the United States or Europe if it isn't saved. A 500-ton structure could be dropped on India and China. Are you going to threaten them with such a prospect? The risks are all yours because the International Space Station doesn't fly over Russia.
He said the U.S. should invest in a trampoline to get its astronauts to the International Space Station. The sanctions were imposed in response to Russia's annexation of the peninsula. He claimed that NASA should invest in broomsticks in order to get to the International Space Station. The U.S. had reestablished domestic launch capability thanks to the help of SpaceX.
It didn't matter, as Musk replied with videos that showed the Falcon 9s taking off. After threatening to withdraw from the International Space Station, he followed up with a video showing the Russian segments closing their hatches and leaving the space station. Musk said that he could pick up the slack with his Crew Dragon spaceship.
The troll war he got into with Mark Kelly was the icing on the cake. The story began when a video was posted that showed technicians at the Baikonur Cosmodrome taping over the American and Japanese flags on a Russian rocket, with the caption: "The launchers at Baikonur decided that without the flags of some countries, our rocket would look more beautiful."
In response, Kelly posted, "Dimon, without those flags and the foreign exchange they bring in, your space program won't be worth a darn." If McDonald's still exists in Russia, you might be able to get a job there. Kelly posted a block notice that looked like it was from a prideful place. There is no indication that this reshuffle will lead to a change in policy or an attempt at rapprochement with NASA.
It seems like it was not motivated by any frustration with Putin or the leadership of Russia's space agency. It is said that it is Putin's desire to punish Borisov. Borisov was the deputy prime minister in charge of Russia under PM Medvedev and Mishustin. The deputy minister oversaw Russia's weapons industries.
Rumors have it that Borisov is being blamed for the deficiencies in Russia's weapons programs. Equipment failures, expired ration, and swaths of vehicles breaking down are some of the issues highlighted by the failed operations in Ukraine. Borisov's appointment to the important role of Roscosmos chief suggests he isn't out of favor with Moscow.
It is unlikely that this reshuffling will make a difference. Since he can't make good on his threats, the statements were always taken with a grain of salt. Russia can't simply withdraw from the space station for logistical reasons or it will hurt its economy. It seems that Russia's continued cooperation on the International Space Station is assured, and that the agreements with other space agencies will not be renewed until the war is over.
It's one thing we can look forward to. Unless Borisov is as bad at social media use as he is, he won't get into a war of words.
There is further reading on Euronews.
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